MS Dhoni can even go on to play the 2023 World Cup: Monty Panesar

Monty Panesar, the former England cricketer, reckons that MS Dhoni has the potential to go on and play the 2023 World Cup in India. The Jharkhand-born Dhoni hasn’t played any form of cricket since the 2019 edition of the mega event in England and Wales. During this while, India have tried out KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson for the wicketkeeper’s slot.

Panesar was of the opinion that the veteran shouldn’t retire and keep plying his trade in the Indian Premier League (IPL). In July this year, Dhoni will be turning 39 and by the next World Cup, he will be nearing 42. Monty feels that cricket is a game of uncertainty and things could change in the future.

Things change very quickly for MS Dhoni, says Panesar

“If I was Dhoni, I would not retire, just play in the IPL for the next four years and think I can play in next the World Cup if I keep playing domestic cricket. He could even play in the 2023 World Cup. He could be playing in the 2023 World Cup because in sports, things change very quickly,”  Panesar was quoted as saying in Times Now.

After the sabbatical since the World Cup, Dhoni was expected to make a comeback for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He also attended a few training sessions and got a century. To his dismay, the coronavirus pandemic ended up playing spoilsport.

The IPL had to be postponed for an indefinite time period due to the lockdown in India. As per Panesar, Dhoni should continue playing in the IPL since he is a ‘big attraction’. He also feels that the 38-year-old’s retirement could impact world cricket.

“He has to take a call – if he is to retire, what will be the impact on the cricket world? People would then tune into IPL to watch Dhoni play because they cannot see him anywhere else. That would be a big attraction in the IPL. IPL cannot afford to lose Dhoni,” he added.

Even when Dhoni is off the field, he has been trending on social media platforms. Short clips of him, enjoying with wife Sakshi and daughter Ziva have also entertained the fans to a great extent.